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Most popular boy names in the 80s in Kentucky

Known for the emergence of MTV, the rise of neon, and the invention of the mixtape, the 1980s were certainly a rockin’ era in American history. New economic policies were introduced, the news network CNN launched, and, much less enjoyable, Wall Street crashed on the infamous Black Monday—the worst one-day decline in American stock market history. Sandra Day O’Connor was nominated by President Ronald Reagan as the first female Supreme Court justice, the Cold War saw the beginning of the end as the Berlin Wall began to fall, and millions watched in horror as the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded on live television.

Among all the big hair, Rubix cubes, and shoulder pads, however, there were still plenty of babies being born during this defining time. And with celebrities like Michael J. Fox and Robert Palmer reaching their peak fame during the ‘80s, it’s no surprise that many parents chose to name their kids after them.

To see just how popular these names were, Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for boys in the 80s in Kentucky using data from the Social Security Administration. Names are ranked by number of babies born.

Just like scrunchies and PAC MAN, Americans can still hold onto some of the best aspects of the ‘80s, including baby names (some things never get old). So whether you’re welcoming a new little one into the world this year or just curious, these are the 100 most popular baby names of the 1980s in Kentucky.

Min An // Pexels

#50. Tyler

Tyler is a name of English origin meaning “doorkeeper of an inn” or “owner of a tavern”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,247
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 734 (#80 most common name, -41.1% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #47
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 86,422

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#49. Shawn

Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning “God is gracious”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,251
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 190 (#257 (tie) most common name, -84.8% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #56
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 65,584

pratan ounpitipong // Shutterstock

#48. Bryan

Bryan is a name of Irish origin meaning “noble”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,269
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 220 (#237 most common name, -82.7% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #51
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 80,488

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#47. Chad

Chad is a name of English origin meaning “from the warrior’s town”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,351
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 33 (#663 most common name, -97.6% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #55
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 69,040

Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock

#46. Paul

Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning “humble”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,424
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 261 (#203 most common name, -81.7% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #40
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 104,339

Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock

#45. Gregory

Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning “watchful, alert”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,449
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 170 (#274 most common name, -88.3% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #45
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 93,649

Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock

#44. Derek

Derek is a name of German origin meaning “the people’s ruler”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,456
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 158 (#286 (tie) most common name, -89.1% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #53
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 72,893

Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock

#43. Patrick

Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning “nobleman”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,524
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 295 (#185 most common name, -80.6% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #37
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 111,365

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#42. Kenneth

Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning “handsome”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,552
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 376 (#154 (tie) most common name, -75.8% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #46
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 89,113

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#41. Zachary

Zachary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God remembers”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,576
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 742 (#79 most common name, -52.9% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #43
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 101,809

Capable97 // Shutterstock

#40. Mark

Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning “God of war”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,858
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 254 (#209 most common name, -86.3% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #34
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 129,371

yifanjrb // Shutterstock

#39. Jacob

Jacob is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “to follow”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,883
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,090 (#8 most common name, +11.0% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #35
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 124,186

Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#38. Kyle

Kyle is a name of Scottish origin meaning “narrow strait”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,893
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 276 (#196 (tie) most common name, -85.4% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #30
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 141,910

Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#37. Stephen

Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning “wreath, crown”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,907
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 289 (#189 most common name, -84.8% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #36
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 113,597

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#36. Bradley

Bradley is a name of English origin meaning “woodland clearing”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,916
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 343 (#166 (tie) most common name, -82.1% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #54
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 69,334

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#35. Nathan

Nathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “given”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,930
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 704 (#83 most common name, -63.5% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #39
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 105,962

2p2play // Shutterstock

#34. Jeffrey

Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning “pledge of peace”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,936
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 182 (#265 most common name, -90.6% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #29
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 144,781

Pixabay

#33. Travis

Travis is a name of French origin meaning “to cross”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,040
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 212 (#244 (tie) most common name, -89.6% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #42
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 102,915

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#32. Richard

Richard is a name of German origin meaning “dominant ruler”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,096
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 340 (#168 most common name, -83.8% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #27
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 154,710

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#31. Benjamin

Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “son of my days”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,335
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,686 (#20 most common name, -27.8% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #31
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 141,341

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#30. Dustin

Dustin is a name of Norse origin meaning “brave warrior”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,409
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 140 (#313 most common name, -94.2% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #44
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 97,301

Pixabay

#29. Kevin

Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning “noble”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,472
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 449 (#123 most common name, -81.8% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #23
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 188,638

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#28. Thomas

Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning “twin”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,531
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 968 (#58 most common name, -61.8% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #24
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 177,743

Jeremy Bishop // Unsplash

#27. Aaron

Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “high mountain”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,551
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 643 (#91 most common name, -74.8% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #32
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 138,343

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#26. Ryan

Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning “little king” or “illustrious”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,770
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 901 (#65 most common name, -67.5% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #14
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 278,848

Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#25. Steven

Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning “crown”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,773
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 411 (#137 most common name, -85.2% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #25
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 177,405

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#24. Anthony

Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning “praiseworthy”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,826
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 924 (#61 most common name, -67.3% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #20
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 211,804

Roman Sorkin // Shutterstock

#23. Nicholas

Nicholas is a name of Greek origin meaning “victory of the people”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,868
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 629 (#92 most common name, -78.1% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #19
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 223,293

DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock

#22. Eric

Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning “sole ruler”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,004
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 296 (#184 most common name, -90.1% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #21
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 204,199

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#21. Timothy

Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning “honouring God”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,276
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 537 (#107 most common name, -83.6% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #26
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 172,811

Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock

#20. Charles

Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning “free man”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,300
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,282 (#41 most common name, -61.2% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #33
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 131,861

FamVeld // Shutterstock

#19. Adam

Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “earth”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,422
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 469 (#118 (tie) most common name, -86.3% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #22
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 195,049

Yulia Sribna // Shutterstock

#18. Brian

Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning “noble”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,430
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 268 (#200 most common name, -92.2% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #16
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 233,976

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#17. Andrew

Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning “brave”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,524
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,334 (#36 most common name, -62.1% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #13
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 285,013

My Good Images // Shutterstock

#16. Jeremy

Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning “appointed by God”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,660
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 227 (#233 most common name, -93.8% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #28
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 153,418

Pshenina_m // Shutterstock

#15. Daniel

Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God is my judge”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 4,059
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,141 (#48 most common name, -71.9% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #7
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 345,414

Irisska // Shutterstock

#14. Jonathan

Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God has given”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 4,242
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 880 (#66 most common name, -79.3% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #18
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 229,906

Vasiuk Iryna // Shutterstock

#13. Joseph

Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “he will add”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 4,776
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,536 (#28 most common name, -67.8% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #10
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 299,367

PxHere

#12. Robert

Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning “fame” or “bright”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,176
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,009 (#55 most common name, -80.5% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #8
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 321,598

PxHere

#11. Jason

Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning “healer”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,240
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 552 (#104 most common name, -89.5% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #11
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 292,016

Unsplash

#10. John

John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “Yahweh has been gracious”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,493
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,833 (#10 most common name, -66.6% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #9
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 321,034

Pixabay

#9. Brandon

Brandon is a name of English origin meaning “beacon hill” or “crow”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,568
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 586 (#95 most common name, -89.5% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #17
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 232,173

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#8. Justin

Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning “righteous”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,668
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 570 (#98 (tie) most common name, -89.9% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #12
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 289,755

BaLL LunLa // Shutterstock

#7. David

David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “beloved”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,685
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,273 (#43 most common name, -77.6% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #5
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 383,610

Unsplash

#6. William

William is a name of Germanic origin meaning “vehement protector”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 6,135
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,309 (#1 most common name, -46.1% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #15
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 248,240

PxHere

#5. Matthew

Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “Gift of Yahweh”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 6,973
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,326 (#38 most common name, -81.0% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #3
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 458,894

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#4. James

James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “supplanter”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 8,639
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,628 (#4 most common name, -69.6% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #6
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 356,362

Vasiuk Iryna // Shutterstock

#3. Michael

Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “who is like God?”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 8,840
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,711 (#18 most common name, -80.6% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #1
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 663,592

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#2. Christopher

Christopher is a name of English origin meaning “Christ-bearer”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 9,669
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,375 (#32 most common name, -85.8% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #2
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 554,793

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#1. Joshua

Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God Is my salvation”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 9,787
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,357 (#33 most common name, -86.1% compared to the 80s)

National
– Rank: #4
– Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 396,533